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Living Free - April 9, 2015

"I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which ChristJesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." - Philippians 3:12-14 NLT

Thoughts for Today

In today's scripture, the apostle Paul tells us he is working toward becoming more perfect . . . but has not achieved perfection. However, he does not allow his weaknesses and mistakes along the way to distract him from what Christ has called him to do.

So often we spend so much time worrying about what we have done or should have done, that we miss our opportunities for today. We let our failure to be perfect prevent us from growing and becoming more Christlike. But Paul didn't do that. He could lay the past aside, accept where he was in the present, and press on to be and do all God had called him to.

Consider this …

Are you worrying about past failures and mistakes? Past sin? Are you letting these things distract you from what God is saying to you today?

Learn from your mistakes and failures. Confess your sins and turn from them. Then let them go! Don't be weighed down today by your baggage of the past. Focus on Jesus. Do the best you can today - even though it may not be perfect. And, like Paul, press on to accomplish all God has for you to do.

Prayer

Father, I know I sometimes I let my mistakes and failures distract me from what you want me to do. Please forgive me. Help me learn from my imperfections. And then help me leave them behind and move on toward becoming all you have designed me to be. In Jesus' name . . .

These thoughts were drawn from …Seeing Yourself in God's Image: Overcoming Anorexia and Bulimia by Martha Homme, MA, LPC. Written by a counselor with experience helping those with eating disorders, this study is born from her own struggles in adolescence. The group challenges members to find their identity in Christ as they overcome this difficult struggle. This guide offers understanding of distorted body image, denial, and the family systems influence. It also explains how to break free of social pressures and how to restore the temple and tie the recovery process together. A companion booklet Seeing Your Loved One in God's Image, can be used as a quick reference guide dealing with issues associated with eating disorders. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.